General Chat

Hi again everybody, Well, one could gain weight just from reading this thread and the Canada one; could the common link between the two be Fred!! lol Aided on this thread, I must say, by Sylvia and Jude! My home at the minute is in turmoil, so my sympathies are with you John in NZ! Good excuse not to do housework, though, so I'm not complaining. John is ripping up the carpet in the livingroom. I was going to help, but it's not really convenient to have 2 people working at it and it's really hard to get up anyway. He's done half the room in 2 days with rest breaks in between, so he's doing really well. The other rooms are in rather a mess too so I've been taking the opportunity to sort through things and toss out anything that hasn't been looked at for a year or so. I gave a great pile of magazines to the library yesterday and tore out articles I wanted to keep in others and tossed the rest. I'll probably discover i've tossed out something I need next week after garbage day! Or worse, something of Johns! Brenda, I'm sorry to hear your fears for your Dad's health, and hope that they're unfounded, but it's always a worry once that rotten disease hits, I know. I hope that everything will turn out well for him. And Mavis, positive thoughts and best wishes for your husband too, and I hope his Xrays turn out okay. John has his annual hospital check up of his bladder in March; it's now 13 years since the big operation. He usually gets them to knock him right out, but this time the new doctor wants him to just have a local as the other is more dangerous, probably because of his heart. My best wishes too for your sister's swift recovery from her gall bladder operation, Brenda. You must have a few troublesome things on your mind lately, so take care of yourself, and try not to worry too much. Sylvia fight the good fight to keep that tree safe. Do you know that some people have been known to get rid of blossom trees in their garden, because they 'make such a mess'! One reason, among many, that I fell for this place 7 years ago, June, was the big old catalpa tree in the back yard,and just about the first thing we had to do in the following spring was have it taken down. We hadn't noticed that it was splitting down the middle and was held together with wire near the top, and was obviously going to be a danger to the house. But it was such a lovely big shade tree, and I'd visualised myself swinging in a hammock under it in the summer time, so I still regret losing it. However, the back yard is much sunnier without it for veggie growing! I hope Madoc is feeling better now Jude and that they'll be able to help him in the long term with his leg problem. Pan had his jaw broken 4 or 5 years ago, and he has a habit of going around the house rubbing his chin on the edge of the walls, (making lovely black marks at chin level), and he also likes to have his chin rubbed, and I sometimes wonder if his chin aches occasionally from when it was broken; a cat's chin is such a delicate little thing; a miracle how they could fit it back together again! It's still grey and dismal here, rain and more rain! Roll on spring! Well, everybody, take good care of yourselves. God bless. Love to all, including Kathleen, Elisabeth and Bill. Hope you're all well. Di.xxx

I am very sorry to hear that Pip isn't too well Mavis,hopefully this will just be a cold which clears up quickly. Even our Jude is a bit down owing to Madocs mad half hours,that old injury is going to cause probs from time to time ,but with any luck the daft dog has only sprained a muscle.,daft he may be ,but he is a lovely tyke ,and i still love to hear what he is getting up to,.bet fat cat is taking advantage now smacking him on the nose and running away lol. Fred has just had dinner,two lovely crumpets ,toasted ,[of course] lightly buttered ,sprinkled with a strong durham chedder,and topped with a little red onion,ohhhhh,i did enjoy it,with commiserations to anyone who cant get these at their local store lol. We are ready for burns night,the haggis is in the fridge,the tatties are peeled ,the sweede ditto,and a little beef gravy readyfor the misses and bairn,Martin and Chris love it,but we only have it a few times a year 'cause i still have to watch what i am eating. we went to the local shop this morning to get a loaf of bread,and i left Liz in the car while i went in,and came out to find her under a tree which was covered in spuggies,and when i asked her what she was at ,she said she was telling them off for deserting our garden after we fed them, so ,i ask you,she is getting as daft as me lol,.P/s, they took no notice With any luck,we only have a few weeks before the weather starts to warm up,us brit's and canadians have a message for all in Oz and kiwi land,move over you lot,it's our turn for the sun,and your turn to get cold feet lol. Well,i'm off to have a look around but will be back later to see what's going on ,and who has shown up.see you all later ,take care ,and have a good day,or evening.Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, Again its a lovely sunny but we did have a slight frost this morning. I have some emails to reply to this morning but I thought I had better post on here first. I am also waiting for the builders merchants to deliver the materials for the studwall I am having built to separate my lounge into a hall and study/snug. They I cant wait to get it decorated. Jude, At this time of year it is easy to feel down as soon as something is wrong. I hope Madoc is soon better and able to chase around with his friends. Brenda, I hope your dad is soon feeling better, this cold weather affects my chest too and I have one of sprays, it works wonders. Give my love to your sister, I hope she is soon out and about too. We have a brown wheelie for garden refuse, a green bin for bottles and cans and a blue bag for paper. I think we should be on the Council's payroll for the time it takes tto wash cans and bottles/jars. I hope the rest of you are keeping well, I keep comforting myself that spring is around the corner. Take care. June xx

Hello everyone, have had a busy day ,going to my dads as he has not been very well ,he has been having pains in his chest and back,and as he has lung cancer I am a bit worried. He has to go to hospital for tests on his chest pain tomorrow afternoon.His own doctor thinks it might be angina and gave hima a spray thing for under his tongue.My sister is in hospital waiting to have her gall bladder removed,so i went to see her afterwards.as dad was going to go but didn't due to not being well. Jude,hope madoc is ok and doesn't have any lasting problems Sylvia,hope your meal with your grand daughter and boy friend is ok and that the tree problem doesn't escalate. June we have a big green bin now for garden waste plus a blue one for paper and a brown one for bottles.It all gets recycled.We have more bins than flower containers at the moment,we seem to have had a spate of terracotta pots being broken by the dog and the plastic ones going britttle with the frost,.I have said I will not replace them .but I probably will. mavis .what a nice surprise with your visitors,I would love to do that to my friend in Melbourne as she did it to me years ago. Fred did you get the attachments and emails? I am still having some problems with emails. Getting tired now,only hope I can get to sleep tonight, Take care ,Brenda

Evening all:o) Fred l must say that brisket was lovely - tonight we had belly pork cooked for a couple of hours in the oven with the rest of butternut squash and onion, with mashed spuds carrots and brocoli - it fell apart - yumma:o) Young Madoc - he's been walking on three legs for the past 4-5 days so we took him to the vets this afternoon.We always have to phone the vets in advance and make sure the surgery is empty cause he goes mad, screams,barks and as good as attacks any other dog in reach. He's not like that when he's out for walks, infact he loves most dogs unless they don't love him!!! lol Most of you may remember Madoc was involved in a road traffic accident before we had him and he was referred to a vet in Bristol after us realising he had a problem!! Whats probably happened is: when he meets up with his mates in the field or on the river walks and they have run around like lunatics, last week he over did it. Quite often he has a good fun time and limps when he gets home but by the morning he's fine,and we rest hin, but not this time. SO - he's on anti-inflamatories now for 2 weeks and we wait for an appointment at Bristol - short walks on the lead are in order as well:o(( He has problems from the accident with his ankle and hip, so we need to find out where the prob is now, we think the hip. Fingers crossed nothing drastic has to be done - and l will keep you informed.Should be given date for Bristol tomorrow. Other than that l'm sitting here in the freezing cold so won't stop.Plus feeling abit down because of Madoc, he's definately not himself bless him:o(((( Take care all of you Love Jude sarf wales xx

Hi everyone, Its been a lovely sunny day here but very cold. I have just about got to the end of my copying notes into my PC, now I have to copy them onto a CD. Thats another empty box to get rid of, I feel quite guilty with all the paper I am throwing, out those poor trees. John, I dont envy you moving house, I hope your move goes smoother than ours did. Sylvia, I love trees too but I.m afraid that we have to get rid of a conifer and another, I cant tell what sort it is until it gets leaves. The surveyor recommended that we got rid of the conifer because it has been planted too near the house and a in a few years, the roots could affect the foundations. The other tree (that I dont know the name of) is already damaging the boundary wall, so it will have to go and the wall be repaired. Mavis, I will keep my fingers crossed for Pip to have favourable results. Di, I am gobsmacked at the woman that drilled the tree and poured chemicals in it.Some people get so intense about things. My back is aching tonight, I think I may have got a chill hanging out clothes in this cold wind. So I will say goodnight and hopefully see you tomorrow. June xx

Hi everyone As of this week our house is for sale - the inside has never looked so presentable. The only room that I deem a mess is the office as it has boxes and bags stacked in one corner - didn't realise we had so much particularly the teddy bear collection. Yesterday being Tuesday we had a caravan of agents trooping in and out of the house and two prospective purchasers. We will be glad when this is all over as your privacy is out the door. I'm taking a break from going through things to look at the 'net and nows it coffee time. John

Hi everybody, Yes, Mavis that is all you can do is to stay positive. Anyway I do hope that things turn out ok for you and look forward to your next message with more positive news. The icy weather is moving in on us. It has now reached Germany which borders us, and there they have min 15 in places. Ooh, makes me want to hibernate already. I did some extra shopping today as my granddaughter asked if she could eat here tomorrow. Now she has just phoned can her boyfriend eat here too. If I had known earlier I would have bought some more substantial food as he is a big lad. Will have to see what I have in the freezer. My neighbour on the third floor is sick, and I don't have the time at the moment to help her and I feel so guilty about it. I promised to go up tomorrow but now with my own help in the house until 1.00 pm I won't have much time. I ought to cook a meal for both of them. Perhaps Thursday I can. Now have a nice evening everybody. Sylvia xxx

Hi everyone. The beautiful hot sunny weather dissapeared today. Gale force winds and heavy rain non stop. More forecast for tomorrow. My daughter and son in law and the boys are off to Coramandel camping tomorrow!! The best of luck when they start to put the tent up!! Tempers may be a little frayed I fear! I hope the weather changes - the boys will be fed up if they can't go swimming in the sea etc. Nothing else to do in the area - it is all beautiful green fields and hills and sea. We had friends turn up last night from Canada. Such a surprise - haven't seen them for about 4 years. Diana lives in Vancouver and Mario is a Doctor in the Dawson Creek Hospital. A lovely couple. We had such a pleasant evening with them. They came bearing gifts for us which included Whiskey for Pip and scrumptious choccies for me. Pip went to the Doctors today - he has a nasty cough again. Has to have a chest xray. A little concerned as this is how it all started before his lung cancer op 2 years ago. We have to be positive don't we? I use an electric slow cooker Fred for my Brisket etc. I agree Brisket is so juicy and tender. Will say goodnight for now - I really do enjoy reading all your lovely 'letters. Always sorry to hear the sad news. Nite nite Mavis NZ

Hi all, Well it seems our 'friends' won't take no for an answer. Annemie's husband Frans came on the door this morning and Johan answered and tried to convince Johan that it was not the tree in front of our balcony which they want taken away, but the one in front of their balcony. I'm seeting deep down inside and laughing too. They don't know what to do next to get our form in their hands with our consent to take the tree away. This evening the girl from upstairs - only moved in recently - came on the door, didn't know her from Eve as she didn't introduce herself. She asked if we had a form from the Council, and I said yes. She then went on to ask if we had any problems with the tree in front of our balcony and I said no. She was rather taken aback. Usually I'm the one who will say 'come inside and have a talk', but I'm now getting sick of the underhand way things are going on. I don't want to fall out over a tree, so just have to be careful what I say. Annemie and I often go to the market together and she is always popping in to me. This new girl upstairs hasn't even had a summer here yet, so how can she know that this tree will take the sun away from her? Now enough is enough. I haven't done too much today, just the necessary and some cross stitching this afternoon. Even fell asleep as I was up early. Fred, pot roasting is mostly done here in the Netherlands as they don't know roast meats like we do. They even cut up their meat differently. No lovely crackling on the pork, no nice topside of beef or silverside of beef. Ah well, I did choose to live here. See you all tomorrow. Sylvia xxx

Morning everyone ,i see our Jude has started something with this brisket,it would seem to be very popular ,and as someone mentioned it is ,cooked properly, about the best cut of beef,so tender and juicy . The person who detroyed the tree should be made to replace it ,plus two others out of her pocket plus the cost of the planters wages ,and their machines ,such arrogance should never be allowed to be gotten away with. trees in the global scheme of things are already in short supply and can't be squandered in this way. Mary is still around peeps,she hadn't gone away,she is just having a rest and a quiet time ,the cleaning of the van ,and family matters have drained her ,and she is now recharging her batteries. I still see my plants trying to go back into the ground,a few days of mild weather followed by cold snaps ,the poor things don't know if they are coming or going. Liz fancies a slice of bacon,an egg and a few mushrooms for her dinner today so i think i had better go and get started.see ya all later on,it's soooooo cold today,fred is stayin' indoors lol.PtfA&G&G&S

Hi girls and boys, Used to love brisket when we lived over there, but haven't had it in years. You have whetted my appetite, so must look for some tomorrow in Superstore. I think pot roasts are the most flavorful of all, and brisket the tastiest joint of beef. Used to be the cheapest too. We had roast pork, roast potatoes and roast mixed veggies with capers, today, and some left over for sandwiches with soup for tomorrow's main meal. A quick meal as we have to drive to downtown Vancouver again tomorrow, and then do a shop, and vote, so will be out most of the day, I guess. Bedroom is all finished now, so we asked Steve and Bernie to help move the wood flooring indoors from the workshop this morning, so after briefly clearing the house up yesterday, there are things piled up everywhere again, and it's going to be like this till next week, as the wood has to sit for a few days, to adapt to the indoor temperatures. I guess tomorrow we'll start ripping out the carpet, and I'm going to enjoy that . A wood floor is so much easier to keep clean, and Pan won't keep getting his claws caught up in it. Pan certainly is a character. Yesterday I walked into the kitchen and found him asleep on the stove. The oven had been on for fries, so the top was lovely and warm. Normally, when John isn't so busy he curls up in the crook of John's arm in the living room and happily snoozes all evening. Yes, Sylvia, fight to keep those trees. It is so shortsighted and thoughtless, the way city councils and building contractors destroy so many trees for whatever reason, as well as some private citizens. Recently a woman in downtown Van, who had an apartment with a view over Stanley park. decided one of the blossom trees near the entrance was blocking her view a little so she went across and bored a hole in and poured some chemicals in and killed it. She was taken to court, but got away with just paying a fine, but she got a lot of hate mail as a result. Must go. Am being called. Hi to everyone I haven't mentioned. Take care all. Love, Di. xxx

The Brisket was gorgeous - l did Butternut squash roasted with spuds and sprouts and carrots with yorkshire puds and yummy gravy - absolutely full now:o) Take care Brenda jude sarf wales x

Hello everyone,I have sat and read the lovelly messages you have all left and my mouth is watering with all the talk of brisket,home made soups etc.l do brisket in my slow cooker overnight,it is bootiful as they say and the gravy is out of this world. Have a phone call to make so better go .Take care love,brenda

Hi Fred The brisket cooker is me:o)))) l put it on a very low gas 1-2 and its deliscious,(spelling) but l will definately make a note of how you cook it - yummers:o))) Di - l meant to mention your Pan, he sounds wonderful, so much nicer being woken with a tap on the face than hearing Madoc scratching the carpet, or Jimmy (fat cat) pawing at the bedcovers like they do - he goes on for ever and ever. June - :~) jude sarf wales xx

Hi peeps,fred hasjust dropped in to find some members of both threads looking for some new dishes and soups,so i had a look on the net for you ,and came up with a new addy.the addy for you to put a search on is[the foody uk and ireland] .the recipe my son tried for broccolli and stilton is going down a storm at the shop ,so who knows,i may yet get a free bowl ,next time i drop in [he says hopefully] You stick to your guns Sylvia,tell the council a definate NO to any tree chopping,fred is without his beloved birds and it is no joke i can tell you. if the council try to chop one of the cherry trees outside the house to put up the bungalows ,they will have a fight on i can tell you,they have been here fifty odd years and are in their prime,and if the birds do come back,they would be short a major food source in the autumn,i would be straight on to the rspcb and the consevation society. where is everyone today,are we all having a lazy day?.i thought everyone would be jogging ,or getting the dinner ready. Someone mentioned brisket i noticed earlier,nine till four for cooking lol,you have time to cook the whole cow.hee hee. I normally put mine in a a slow roaster tin with the meat on a trivet on very low heat 170 f with a little water in the bottom,and then just over an hour before the finish i add par boiled carrot, shallot, pasnip, and sweet potato.so that they take on that liitle taste of beef ,and that special glaze that you get when you baste with the water a couple of times,i even put in water roast potatoes once in a while,lovely roast potatoes with no fat in whatsoever ,lovely for anyone with ticker probs or diabetics.. It makesa change when the beef comes out with that wonderful red colour that the irish are known for,and tender,you have a job cutting it because it can fall to pieces as you touch it with a knife.[but there is a trick to this too] Seeing as i had a little too much in the way of treats for tea last night i am on salad for both dinner and tea to bring the ols sugar levels back to normal,but mentioning cooking boiled beef has made me a little envious of peeps and their sunday dinners . so to all these i say,have a great one ,and spare a thought to Fred [having rabbit food ]lol. Off to swan about now ,but i will look in later. Fred.PtfA&G&G&S.

Hi everyone, We had a frost this morning but now it is nice and sunny. Jude, What a good idea to take some photos of the garden as it is now. (all the stuff ready to go to the tip,lol) Then take more as we change things. Listening to what you have been doing with your mosaics, I now know where you have been all this time. Sylvia, You sound as though you had a lovely evening. I agree with you, when you are with friends, you should be able to put your opinion across without anyone taking offence. Brenda, I think you will have to go for a jog around the block to tire you out, lol Sorry have to go someone has arrived. June xx

Morning everyone:o))) I'm still in my dressing gown as well, but thats nothing unusual. Another frost this morning and its still very chilly, last night l had to put another blanket on the bed and wore me socks!!!!! Madoc did his usual and tried to get in, so l covered him with his blanket (spoilt or what???) So many of you are always sooooo busy, amazing the things you all do in one day. l try to be,but l still sit and ponder for too long. June - Your dogs sound as though they have it right comfy as well, bless - animals don't take too long to settle in do they, especially if they are loved like all of ours are:o)))))))) Can you put some photo's on GC of your garden as it is now and then abit later on?? The mosaics - well l need to make more to be able to sell them at present, the one l'm doing at the moment (matchstick man) is'nt comeing along as l had hoped,but will finish it - its all part of the learning fingy!! l'll concentrate more on the easier things - trivetts and placemats etc. l was covering small cat food tins, to use as small plant pot holders, or posy pots, but l had'nt sealed them and they've stained!!!! When l have some more better things finished l will put them on GC photo. Brenda - l do hope you can get your sleep pattern back to normal, nothing worse than not sleeping - my sister suffers with this alot and sometimes she's exhausted the next day. Fred - suasage casserole - yummy, do you do it all yourself or with a packet?? l've used the packets and they are very nice l must say:o) We have brisket for raost today, its in the oven now, put it in about 9.45am and we'll eat about 4pm, hopefully be then it will melt in the mouth:o)))))) Been trying to sell a few things on ebay - what a pullavver, its understanding what ebays questions are and what to fill in where etc - think l've done it now though - fingers crossed they sell:o)) OK thats it for now,spose l ought to get dressed now - lol lol Loads of love to all, take care:o) Jude sarf wales xx

Hi all, It is now 11.24 and I've just had breakfast. I am in my nightgown. Johan prepared the breakfast and cleared away - ah! We had neighbours in for coffee and drinks last night and also my ex son in law and his wife popped in. We had a very late night, or should I say early morning. I certainly had a long night's sleep. Anyway we all enjoyed ourselves. Somebody was phoning me around 10.15 but I was too sleepy to answer it. Di, you put me to shame with all your knitting and sewing etc.etc. I've been trying to do a little cross stitch every day, but seem to get interrupted when I want to do it. I also plan to get down to my genealogy, but here again never find the time.. We have had a letter from the Council that they want to cut down some trees in our street. I know two neighbours who have been trying to get a tree cut down as they say it takes away the sun on their balcony. Mind you when the sun comes out they hoist a sunshade, so why destroy a tree? My neighbours who were here last night - Annemie and Frans - want us to give them all the forms (they can then see who has voted to have the tree cut down, who says 'no' and who says 'don't care'. ) Well honest Sylvia here went into discussion and I told them that I certainly don't want to lose the tree near me because then I'd lose the birds too. Johan accuses me of starting an argument, but I am only being honest. The birds gather in this tree near me and then come onto my balcony to feed. Di, enquete, means enquiry - a French word left here by Napoleon. There should be a 'roof' over the 'u', but I don't know where to find all the accents on my computer yet. I too, went through a spell of not being able to sleep, so I do know how it feels Brenda, but rest assured it will eventually go over. My thoughts are with you. Fred, glad you are still with us, about time we had another recipe! Just been hearing of all the snow in Japan - meters of it - and then of all the fires in Australia. What an unfair distribution! The weather here is quite bright and almost Spring-like if you are looking out from the inside. Now, must do something, like seeing what we are going to have for dinner. Have a nice Sunday, and forgive me if I've not mentioned your name. I will have read your message and of course forgotten your name, and don't want to muddle the names up do I? Sylvia xxx

Hello everyone,having trouble sleeping again ,have been up most of last night and again tonight.However I am really tired and when I get to bed I sort of wake up. I have been cat napping a bit during the day and think that is the main cause.Think I am still a bit lathargic from my cold so going to get a tonic from the chemist on Monday. I should also get some tidying done in the garden but haven't got the inclination to do anything outside at all. Have been looking some rellies up ,well trying but no luck tonight. Might go and watch a DVD downstairs andsee if that will send me to sleep,already had warm milk,etc. See you later Love Brenda